<p>Everyone in the City must have had an encounter with the eunuchs and transvestites at the traffic signals at some point of time or the other. More than the traffic police, the commuters are overwhelmed by the presence of eunuchs and transvestites on almost all traffic signals in the City.<br /><br />Whenever the signal turns red, they commence their work. They go from one vehicle to another and harass the commuters. They try to touch them and ‘bless them’ with the sole aim of extracting money from them. <br /><br />Those travelling in autos and two-wheelers are the worst affected. Most people find it utterly disgusting when eunuchs and transvestites breach a person’s privacy by touching him or her. Some commuters get hassled, some scared and others simply angry.<br />When asked as to why no action has been taken in this regard, a traffic police in <br />Banashankari says that their duty is to maintain the smooth flow of traffic. <br /><br />“Our main concern is vehicles and nothing else. I agree that they are troubling the commuters, but we can’t take any action unless and until we get instructions from the higher officials,” says Manjunath, a traffic personnel.<br /><br />Richard Rodrigues, an engineering student, says he finds it difficult to wait at signals. “The moment the signal turns red, beggars, eunuchs, transvestites and vendors rush in from all directions. Stopping at the signal itself is annoying in the first place. Adding to that woe are these people, who make commuting all the more irritating. I have not been a victim so far. I move my bike forward if there is space in order to escape them,” he adds.<br /><br />Even Bharat, a bank employee, has encountered the same problem several times. “When a vehicle stops at a signal, beggars especially children, eunuchs and transvestites come and ask for money. More than getting irritated, I am worried about the safety of those poor kids who keep moving amidst the busy traffic,” he expresses his concern.<br /><br />“Eunuchs and transvestites are a big headache as they don’t let us go until we give them money. I see a lot of them at Sarakki Junction and Hoskerehalli Cross. Commuters in autos and two-wheelers are the worst victims. We are left with no choice as no one is doing anything in this regard,” he says.<br /><br />Sanchitha, a student, feels these troublemakers are becoming professionals. <br />“I was surprised when one of them approached me and said, ‘Baby, give me Rs 10’. More than their demands, it’s their body language that frightens me a lot. I never let them touch me,” she adds.<br /><br />“Until and unless the government does something about them, we can’t curb their activities. But they are definitely a menace to the <br />public,” concludes Somesh, a professional.<br /></p>
<p>Everyone in the City must have had an encounter with the eunuchs and transvestites at the traffic signals at some point of time or the other. More than the traffic police, the commuters are overwhelmed by the presence of eunuchs and transvestites on almost all traffic signals in the City.<br /><br />Whenever the signal turns red, they commence their work. They go from one vehicle to another and harass the commuters. They try to touch them and ‘bless them’ with the sole aim of extracting money from them. <br /><br />Those travelling in autos and two-wheelers are the worst affected. Most people find it utterly disgusting when eunuchs and transvestites breach a person’s privacy by touching him or her. Some commuters get hassled, some scared and others simply angry.<br />When asked as to why no action has been taken in this regard, a traffic police in <br />Banashankari says that their duty is to maintain the smooth flow of traffic. <br /><br />“Our main concern is vehicles and nothing else. I agree that they are troubling the commuters, but we can’t take any action unless and until we get instructions from the higher officials,” says Manjunath, a traffic personnel.<br /><br />Richard Rodrigues, an engineering student, says he finds it difficult to wait at signals. “The moment the signal turns red, beggars, eunuchs, transvestites and vendors rush in from all directions. Stopping at the signal itself is annoying in the first place. Adding to that woe are these people, who make commuting all the more irritating. I have not been a victim so far. I move my bike forward if there is space in order to escape them,” he adds.<br /><br />Even Bharat, a bank employee, has encountered the same problem several times. “When a vehicle stops at a signal, beggars especially children, eunuchs and transvestites come and ask for money. More than getting irritated, I am worried about the safety of those poor kids who keep moving amidst the busy traffic,” he expresses his concern.<br /><br />“Eunuchs and transvestites are a big headache as they don’t let us go until we give them money. I see a lot of them at Sarakki Junction and Hoskerehalli Cross. Commuters in autos and two-wheelers are the worst victims. We are left with no choice as no one is doing anything in this regard,” he says.<br /><br />Sanchitha, a student, feels these troublemakers are becoming professionals. <br />“I was surprised when one of them approached me and said, ‘Baby, give me Rs 10’. More than their demands, it’s their body language that frightens me a lot. I never let them touch me,” she adds.<br /><br />“Until and unless the government does something about them, we can’t curb their activities. But they are definitely a menace to the <br />public,” concludes Somesh, a professional.<br /></p>
